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In Acts 20:28–31, <note to="" lt:="" please="" hyperlink="" or="" add="" hover-over="" verse=""> Paul gives this instruction to the church in Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock . . . after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you . . . Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth . . .” (NIV). Why was Paul so sure “wolves” would arise from among them? What “wolves” do you need to watch out for? What measures can you put in place to keep watch over yourself and those who help you lead?</note>
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What Paul was sure of is that there will be wolves that will become part of the flock that may not be truly converted and from within be a source of hostile environment for the flock. Paul was once a wolf so he is able to relate his redemptive story to what he cautioned the church; like Paul a wolf can be part of the flock as a true sheep but even true sheep of the flock must watch that they do not fall for lies and deception of wolves who seeks to devour them. We need to watch out for wolves that appear to be followers of Christ but are not, those who teach false or follow wrong doctrine. We are to keep our eyes on our Good Shepherd, to follow Him, to read the Bible, to fellowship with other believers, to pray and to be alert and watchful over our lives and those of other believers.
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He was very sure because at one point in his life he was a wolf, persons will become wolves to suite their own agenda. We need to watch out for wolves who are only here for personal gain, those that distort the truth in order to control believers. We need to ensure that Christ is being preached in the correct manner, His death, burial and resurrection, we need to constantly follow the teachings of the Bible and always search the scriptures for authenticity.
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We must always be alert and attentive to the voice of GOD for His wisdom and guidance. The enemy is always lurking by waiting for an opportunity to come in to kill, steal and destroy. We have to forever remain vigilant. Sometimes the enemy may lurk within. We have to always keep GOD as our Head. <div>
</div><div>We need to watch for all enemies. They may look like sheep but may be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Keep a strong link to the Father. Stay tethered to Him. Read and study the Word. Seek GOD for discernment. Also, always keeping a strong prayer life and open dialogue with Him. Ask Him what to do before any decision is made. He knows the plans that He has for us. The same thing goes for anyone that GOD has given us charge over. They need to be tethered, studying, praying, communicating and guided to/with/by Him.</div><div>
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From the very beginning in the early church, false teachers have been around. Spreading false teachings and deceiving people. Often these people come from within the church. They mean well often times but are misguided and misinformed. Within the church today, we still have to be mindful of false teachers and ministers who share doctrine that does not line up with the Word of God. So as Christians, we must pray and read the Bible for ourselves. Pray over the church, loved ones. and yourself. Prayer will help to expose the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Also, anoint your home and those that you love. Plead the blood of Jesus over them and yourself. Study the Bible for yourself and weigh everything you hear. It is essential to have a daily personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Get to know the Master’s voice and follow only Him!
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By staying true to the Word of God, not picking and choosing what we listen to, we can keep ourselves from becoming wolves. It will also help us to see the wolves hiding as sheep in the flock. Power and money attract predators today like sheep and goats did in the early life’s. Seeing that the people we follow and listen to and the message we give to others conforms to God’s word and not our own desires will help us to avoid predators